Flourless Chocolate Cake

There’s something so elegant about the simplicity of this flourless chocolate cake recipe. Sometimes called a chocolate torte, it’s a Passover and Valentine’s Day staple for good reason—not to mention an ideal choice for gluten-free dinner parties. With just five ingredients, desserts don’t get much simpler, especially because this fudgy single-layer dark chocolate cake comes together in 45 minutes or less.

Because the recipe is so simple, the rich chocolate flavor will directly reflect the quality of your ingredients. We recommend buying the best bittersweet chocolate and cocoa powder you can afford. Opt for chocolate bars or baking wafers, not chocolate chips, which have stabilizers that will adversely affect the cake’s texture.

This sophisticated cake is exceptional served on its own, but you can always take liberties: Add a dash of vanilla extract or a scoop of instant espresso powder (about 1 tsp. of either). We like a final dusting of cocoa, but if you prefer a sweeter dessert, you can dust it with powdered sugar instead (make sure it’s certified gluten-free if that’s a concern). Go a step further by adding a dollop of whipped cream and a handful of fresh raspberries, a drizzle of melted chocolate ganache, or a scoop of Coconut Lime Sorbet or another favorite ice cream.